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FCB agree terms with Pepe Reina

Created on 05-08-2014 at 22:01 PM

Bayern are poised to sign Pepe Reina from Liverpool, FCB chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed on Tuesday lunchtime (local time) in Portland. “The player is scheduled to come to Munich for a medical in the next few days and sign his contract,” Rummenigge stated.

The 31-year-old Spain goalkeeper is currently contracted to Liverpool. Terms have been agreed with both the player and his current club. “Michael Reschke has told me this is the case,” Rummenigge said. “Pepe Reina really wanted to join Bayern Munich. He was prepared to undertake this adventure, although he knows he has Manuel Neuer ahead of him, a first-choice keeper who will, provided nothing untoward happens, remain number one.”

Should Neuer be unfit to play, Reina and Tom Starke would both be ready to step in. The position of third keeper at Bayern is currently vacant after Lukas Raeder left the club at the end of last season. “Our goal was to be prepared for every eventuality in this particular position,” Rummenigge explained, “we've now settled the situation regarding goalkeepers. We'll go into next season with these three.”

For Reina, who will be 32 at the end of August, the switch to Munich represents a reunion with Pep Guardiola. Both were members of the 2000/01 Barcelona squad. Reina played for Villarreal (2002-05) before joining Liverpool in 2005, where he won the UEFA Super Cup (2005) and the FA Cup (2006). The shot stopper spent last season on loan to SSC Napoli and collected a Copa Italia winner’s medal.

The father of three celebrated his greatest successes to date in Spain colours, as he has winner’s medals from the 2010 World Cup, and Euro 2008 and 2012. He made one appearance for his country at the World Cup a few weeks ago. “Pepe Reina is an established and very experienced player who matches the profile required by the squad management team,” said Rummenigge, “he's the right man for Bayern Munich.”